Short film – dir. Simeon Tsonchev

Pirin Mountain under threat by logging and construction

Pirin Mountain is a natural UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Bulgaria’s three national parks; it includes several Natura 2000 Protected Areas. Here grows Baykushevata Mura, a tree from the rare Bosnian Pine species. It is estimated to be over 1 300 years old, making it Bulgaria’s oldest coniferous tree, and one of the oldest trees in the world. Pirin Mountain provides a home for golden eagles, capercaillies, brown bears, short-toed eagles, pygmy owls, three-toed woodpeckers… a total of 294 rare species, 176 relict species, and 15 species included in the European conventions of endangered species. Pirin will take your breath away with 186 crystal-clear glacial lakes, pristine natural sites and forests untouched by humans.

A new management plan threatens to expand the area of permitted construction 14 times. About 60% of the territory of Pirin National Park will be legally open for logging. At present logging within its boundaries is strictly prohibited.

Pirin’s nature is a treasure that we need to preserve. Send a letter to the Prime Minister of Bulgaria and ask him to intervene and to stop Pirin’s destruction.